Environmentally friendly information storage disc packaging system

ABSTRACT

A packaging system is provided for shipping optical media, such as compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), and compact disc recordables (CDRs), in an environmentally responsible and cost effective manner. The packaging system&#39;s construction uses primarily recyclable material and requires far less raw material than other shipping packaging options. The packaging system is also lightweight and suitably durable for passage through the normal shipping channels, such as the United States Postal Service. The packaging system may be easily configured to accommodate different numbers of optical media discs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to packaging devices for optical media, and moreparticularly, to an environmentally responsible and cost effectivepackaging system to distribute large quantities of related optical mediato customers through mail services, such as the United States PostalService, UPS, Federal Express, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical media are small optical discs upon which large amounts ofdigital information, such as audio-visual data and software, areencoded. Common examples of optical media include, but are not limitedto, the common compact disc (CD), the digital video disc (DVD), and thecompact disc recordable (CDR). Other types of optical media usingdifferent formats than those listed above to store encoded data willlikely be developed in the future.

The invention will be explained in reference to storing optical media.However, just as new types of optical media formats are likely to bedeveloped in the future, so are other forms of storage formats that usedisc structures just as likely to be developed. Other storage formatsdeveloped in the future may encode information on a disc throughmagnetic means or through scoring on the disc surface, to name a few. Asthe described packaging system is designed to accommodate any type ofstorage disc, it is understood that reference to optical media is bymeans of illustration, and not by limitation. The present invention isnot limited to any particular type of format for storing information ona disc.

Due to its convenience and low cost of production, the use of opticalmedia has quickly become the preferred method of storing not only musicbut software and movies as well. In the regular course of business, itis typical for one to purchase a software license or a music CD withoutreceiving the physical disc at the time of purchase. As Internetcommerce flourishes through the widespread use of the World Wide Web, anincreasing number of people will buy goods and services throughelectronic storefronts. Accordingly, the need to ship optical media,perhaps with accompanying documentation, will also increase in time.

A single purchase of a software license, music album, or other opticalmedia purchase may involve more than one physical optical media disc.For example, many music albums are labeled as “2 CD sets,” as theycontain two compact discs encoded with music. Larger musical collectionsthat are encoded on larger numbers of optical media discs are alsocommon. A single software license may require the installation of datastored upon multiple optical media discs as well. Accordingly, therewill be an increasing need to distribute large numbers of relatedoptical media discs through mail services.

As optical media are susceptible to scratching, smudging, and othersignal eroding damage, they are preferably protected in a protectiveenclosure when not in use.

There have been several different approaches in developing packagingsystems for optical media. A widely used package is the “jewel case.”The conventional jewel case includes a rigid plastic front panel, arigid plastic back panel, and a semi-flexible plastic disc holder whichis secured into the plastic back panel. The front and back panels of thejewel case are normally hinged along one edge to open like a book. Atleast one preprinted insert is included in and visible through the jewelcase. The jewel case is shipped with a plastic shrink-wrap exterior,which is removed upon purchase.

This jewel case, though attractive in appearance, is cumbersome,expensive to construct, and not sufficiently durable to send through themail without additional packaging. Additionally, the jewel case is notsuited to address the problem of disseminating and storing massquantities of optical media, as it was designed to be a personal storagecontainer for the individual consumer upon purchase of a single opticalmedia disc. Further, the construction and use of a jewel case requires asignificant amount of plastic, which is a non-biodegradable materialthat can pose environmental problems.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,081 (the '081 patent) is directed to a storagedevice for optical media for the dual purpose of deterring theft whileon display in retail stores and protectively storing the optical mediawhile not in use.

While the described storage device in the '081 patent uses lessnon-biodegradable material in its construction, it still requires theuse of plastic and a shrink-wrapped exterior. Additionally, it wasdesigned to accommodate only a single compact disc. Further, theconstruction of the storage device would not be suitable or sufficientlydurable for passage through the mail, as it was designed to be usedstrictly in retail outlet stores.

As limited environmentally responsible packaging is available to addressthe needs of distributors of optical media, less than ideal shippingpractices are accepted as a matter of course.

For example, the process of shipping a single optical media disc fromthe distributor to a customer is both unnecessarily expensive andrequires far too many non-biodegradable shipping materials. Typically,each compact disc is shipped in an individual jewel case. Each jewelcase is then shrink wrapped for protection and security. Each jewel caseis shipped in a product box, which is sufficiently larger than the jewelcase and has an expensive high gloss finish exterior with lettering andartwork. Each product box may contain additional documentation andinserts, as well as a cardboard insert to hold the contents of theproduct box in place. The product box construction is expensive,requires excess amounts of raw materials, and is quite heavy. The extraweight of the product box increases the cost of shipping. The productbox is enclosed within another heavier and more durable cardboardshipping box for protection during shipment. Additional packaging fillerwill also be added to the cardboard shipping box to protect the enclosedproduct box.

Using this packaging system, the single optical media disc is firstpackaged within a plastic box, further packaged in another cardboardproduct box, further surrounded by packaging filler material, all ofwhich is enclosed in another cardboard shipping box. This process usesfar to much non-biodegradable raw material to produce a package that iscostlier to produce and ship than need be.

This problem is compounded when more than one related optical media discis shipped. Rather than combining the contents of the product boxes,optical media are still packaged as individual units in product boxes,all of which are then enclosed in a cardboard shipping box fordistribution.

This process is inefficient and undesirable on multiple fronts. Theprocess requires the use of raw materials that are not sustainable, andthus, harmful to the environment. The process also requires much morepackaging material per optical media disc than need be, which results ina higher cost to package an optical media disc for shipment. The processalso yields a package that is far heavier than need be, which results ina higher cost to ship the package of compact discs.

Based on the foregoing, it is clearly desirable to provide a method andapparatus for shipping variable amounts of optical media through themail services in an environmentally conscious and cost-effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide anoptical media package which minimizes excess material in itsconstruction.

It is another purpose of the present invention to provide an opticalmedia package which is less costly to produce.

It is another purpose of the present invention to provide an opticalmedia package which is more ecological since the components thereofrequire less raw material and the nature of which is biodegradable.

It is another purpose of the present invention to provide an opticalmedia package that is as lightweight as possible, as to minimize cost ofshipment through package delivery services.

It is another purpose of the present invention to provide an opticalmedia package that is durable enough to be appropriate for deliverythrough package delivery services.

Finally, it is another purpose of the present invention to provide anoptical media package that may be easily configured to accommodate awide range of numbers of optical media discs.

To achieve the foregoing and other purposes of the present invention,there is provided, in one embodiment, an optical media package comprisedof sleeves, each of which store an optical media disc, affixed to acover which houses and protects the sleeves. The sleeves are attached tothe cover in such a manner as to allow any number of sleeves to beeasily added or removed. This flexibility allows the optical mediapackage to accommodate a range of sleeve numbers. Additionally, thecover and sleeves are preferably constructed from a durable, lightweightmaterial that is environmentally sustainable.

In certain preferred embodiments, the sleeves are constructed with awhite clay coating on the interior of the sleeve, which helps protectthe optical media. The sleeves may also each be constructed with amechanism to secure an optical media disc within the sleeve. Themechanism to secure an optical media disc within each sleeve willpreferably be a bended corner which both prevents the optical media discfrom sliding out of the sleeve and keeps the optical media from movingaround in the sleeve.

As previously mentioned, the number of sleeves may be changed with easeto accommodate different numbers of optical media. The mechanism toperform this action may take a variety of different embodiments. In oneembodiment, such a mechanism employs a plurality of elastic cords. Theelastic cords are threaded through holes in the sleeves and cover, andeach end of the elastic cords are be attached to a securing means whichsecures the elastic cords to the cover. The securing means preferably iseasily removable to allow alteration of the number of sleeves that aresecured to the cover.

In certain embodiments, the cover may be closed by securing the frontpanel of the cover to the back panel of the cover by an elastic strapaffixed to the back panel, which may be wrapped around the cover. Thisarrangement, in addition to securing the cover in a closed position,adds additional support by securing the sleeves in place within thecover. Alternately, the front and back panels of the cover may besecured together by either Velcro straps, buttons, snaps, or tabslocated on one, both, or either of the front or back panels of thecover.

The cover and sleeves may be housed in an appropriately sized shippingbox for delivery. The shipping box should just be large enough toaccommodate the cover and sleeves, thus reducing the excess shippingmaterial and the need to use packaging filler to secure the contents ofthe shipping box. This small and lightweight shipping box may containany number of optical media, and it is durable enough to beinexpensively shipped through the mail. In contrast to the priorexample, there is no product box or extra filler material needed in thispackaging system.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred optical media package withthe cover in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the optical media package of FIG. 1 withthe cover in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the optical media package of FIG. 1 withthe cover in an open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the optical media package according to thepresent invention will now be fully described with reference to FIGS.1-3.

FIG. 1 shows an optical media package 2 in a closed position accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. The optical media package 2includes a cover 10 to encapsulate and protect a plurality of enclosedoptical media discs 4. The cover 10 is preferably constructed from asingle piece of durable, biodegradable material, such as Kraft. Thecover 10 comprises a front panel 12 and a back panel 14, which may beclosed and secured. The cover 10 also comprises a rolled spine 16, whichallows the cover to accommodate different numbers of optical media discsto be stored within the confines of the cover 10. The rolled spine 16 isconstructed by scoring the cover 10 in regular increments parallel tothe shorter dimension of the cover 10. The rolled spine 16 allows thethickness of the optical media package to be adjustable to accommodate aplurality of sleeves 20.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the optical media package in an openposition according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3shows a perspective drawing of the optical media package in an openposition according to one embodiment of the present invention. Both FIG.2 and FIG. 3 will be referenced in the description below to illuminatethe embodiments of the invention.

The contents of the package 2 may be accessed by placing the cover 10 inan open position as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The front panel 12 ofthe cover 10 may have a pocket 18 on the interior of the cover 10 forthe purposes of housing product documentation. To reduce the size of theproduct documentation, it will typically be encoded on the optical mediaor, alternatively, reference will be made to a web URL where the productdocumentation may be found over the Internet.

The optical media discs are stored within the cover 10 in a plurality ofsleeves 20. The plurality of sleeves 20 are constructed using anydurable, biodegradable material, preferably using Kraft material. Theplurality of sleeves 20 each have an interior 22 that is covered in awhite clay coating. The white clay coating serves to protect the encodedsurface of the optical media discs against scratching, smudging, orcontact with fibers from the Kraft material. Additionally, the whiteclay coating is biodegradable.

The optical media may be secured in the plurality of sleeves 20 by anumber of means. Preferably, each of the plurality of sleeves 20 willhave a bended corner 24 to reduce the aperture of the sleeve to a lengthshorter than the diameter of the optical media, which prevents theoptical media from falling out of the sleeve. The bended corner 24further provides a wedge to secure the optical media in place within thesleeve, which advantageously reduces movement of the optical media discduring shipping. Each of the plurality of sleeves has an open end 26from which the optical media may be inserted or retrieved. The bendedcorner 24 may be constructed by scoring one end of each of the pluralityof sleeves 20 allowing that corner to be bent inwards towards theinterior 22 so that the corner of the sleeve will rest against theoptical media in the interior 22 of the optical media when it is storedwithin the sleeve.

Alternately, the plurality of sleeves 20 could employ any number ofmeans not shown to secure the optical media within the interior portion22. The open end 26 of each the plurality of sleeves 20 couldalternatively be secured by the employment of a zipper on the open end26 on each of the plurality of sleeves 20, the employment of a snap onthe open end 26 on each of the plurality of sleeves 20, or equivalentmechanisms to secure the optical media discs within the plurality ofsleeves 20.

As previously mentioned, the number of the plurality of sleeves 20 maybe altered to accommodate a variety of numbers of optical media discsthrough the use of a plurality of elastic cords 30. A plurality ofelastic cords 30 are threaded through holes in the sleeves 32 andthrough holes in the cover 34. Each end of the elastic cords 30 isattached to a securing means 36 which secures the plurality of elasticcords 30 to the cover 10. The securing means 36 advantageously allowsremoval to allow one to alter the number of the plurality of sleeves 20secured to the cover 10. There are two types of securing means 36:functional securing means 37 and decorative securing means 38. Both thefunctional securing means 37 and the decorative securing means 38 willbe explained in further detail below.

The functional securing means 37 consists of an object attached to anend of one of the plurality of elastic cords 30 and which, from at leastone perspective, is smaller in length than the diameter of the hole inthe cover 34, and from another perspective, is larger in length than thediameter from the hole in the cover 34.

The decorative securing means 38 consists of an object attached to anend of one of the plurality of elastic cords 30 which is larger inlength than the diameter of the hole in the cover 34 from anyperspective.

One may configure the securing means 36 to a secured position by first,threading the functional securing means 37 through the holes in thesleeves 32 and the holes in the cover 34 and second, positioning thefunctional securing means against the hole in the cover 34 so that thelonger end of the attached object prevents the functional securing means37 from movement through the hole in the cover 34. Likewise, one mayconfigure the securing means 36 to an unsecured position by first,positioning the functional securing means 37 against the hole in thecover 34 so that it may be threaded through the hole in the cover 34 andsecond, threading the functional securing means 37 and elastic cord 30through the holes in the cover 34 and holes in the sleeves 32. In anunsecured position, one may change the number of the plurality ofsleeves 20 attached to the cover 10.

The functional securing means 37 should be constructed with a rod shapedobject consisting of a sustainable, biodegradable material. Thedecorative securing means 38 should also be constructed with an objectconsisting of a sustainable, biodegradable material, and may be ordainedwith a logo, name, or design. The plurality of elastic cords 30 shouldbe made from a sustainable, biodegradable material with elasticity.

The cover 10 may be closed by securing the front panel 12 of the cover10 to the back panel 14 of the cover 10 by several embodiments. Oneembodiment takes the form of an elastic strap 40 affixed to the backpanel 14. To secure the cover 10 in place, the front panel 12 of thecover 10 is folded up to rest against the plurality of sleeves 20, theback panel 14 is folded up against the front panel 12, and the elasticstrap 40 wraps around the package parallel to the open end of theplurality of sleeves 20. By using an elastic strap 40 and wrapping as sodescribed, the plurality of sleeves 20 have additional support to remainin place while the cover 10 is closed.

Alternatively, the front panel 12 and back panel 14 of the cover 10 maybe secured together by either Velcro straps, buttons, snaps, or tabslocated on both of the front panel 12 and back panel 14 of the cover 10.As these types of securing mechanisms are generally less environmentallysustainable than the described elastic strap 40, preference is giventowards the use of the elastic strap 40 to secure the front panel 12 andback panel 14 of the cover 10.

The present invention may be enclosed in an appropriately sized shippingbox for delivery through normal distribution services. The size of theshipping box should be just large enough to accommodate the cover andsleeves. The shipping box should be constructed out of any durable,lightweight material, such as Kraft material.

As the use of optical media to store information becomes morewidespread, there is certainly to be more developments in optical mediain the future. As new types of optical media are developed to storedigital information in new ways, the present invention is well suited toaddress the needs of distributing the optical media discs through themail in mass quantities with minimal impact to the environment.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for packaging information storagediscs, comprising: a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve comprisesan open end and an interior; a cover comprising a front panel, a backpanel, an interior, and a scored spine; means for securing said sleevesto said interior of cover; and means for securing said front panel ofsaid cover to said back panel of cover.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the plurality of sleeves comprise Kraft material.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves comprisea white clay coating on the interior surface of the sleeve.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the said plurality of sleevescontains means to secure an optical media disc within the sleeve.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein said means to secure an optical media discwithin the sleeve is a bended corner.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the cover comprises Kraft material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the cover further comprises a pocket secured to said interior ofthe cover.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover furthercomprises a plurality of holes; the plurality of sleeves furthercomprises a plurality of holes; and the means for securing saidplurality of sleeves to said interior of cover comprises a plurality ofelastic cords threaded through the plurality of holes in the sleeves,where each end of the plurality of elastic cords is attached to anobject on an appropriate side of the plurality of holes in the coverthat, from at least one perspective, is longer than the diameter of saidhole in cover.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means forsecuring said front panel of said cover to said back panel of said coveris an elastic strap.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means forsecuring said front panel of said cover to said back panel of said coveris one member selected from the group consisting of Velcro straps,buttons, snaps, or a tab.